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Retired Lt. Col. Dwight E. Crist, 83, a resident of Albuquerque, made the transition to eternal life on Friday, December 20, 2002. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carmella (Frankie) F. Crist, of Albuquerque; sons, Vietnam Veteran Sam R. Crist of Los Lunas, and Douglas M. Crist, PhD of Albuquerque; daughter, Marilyn L. Crist of Albuquerque; and cousin, Lorene Crist of Unionville, MO. Dwight was born, reared, and worked on a farm in Unionville MO. He attended Jr. College, obtained his private pilot's license, and met his wife Frankie, all in Centerville IA. His military career began when he enlisted in the US Army on December 8, 1941. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII where he frequently flew C47s in combat behind enemy lines to deliver paratroopers, gliders, and supplies within Northern Africa and Europe. He was the recipient of numerous wartime medals, including several oak leaf clusters and silver leaves. Dwight became a reservist in late 1946. He trained foreign student pilots at Marana Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ. The Federal Aviation Agency brought Dwight and family to Albuquerque in 1958. He retired from FAA Air Traffic Control as an Operations Supervisor after 21 years of service. Since that time, Dwight has enjoyed participating in the financial marketplace and, managing financial affairs for the family. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Freemason and a member of the Elks Lodge. Dwight lived his life to the end with dignity, courage, strength and grace. Services will be held on December 24, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at French Mortuary Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE with Chaplain Barbara Gatzweiler officiating. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans. Arrangements by French Mortuary Wyoming Blvd Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
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